Roads Closing; River Spills Over Onto Carleton College

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (WCCO/AP) — It’s a good thing Carleton College students are on spring break, because the flooding on campus would complicate getting around.

A news release on the college’s website reported that warm weather and wet ground caused the Cannon River to overflow, spilling onto the Northfield campus.

Water first seeped onto the campus over the weekend, covering portions of practice fields and the arboretum. Officials built sandbag dikes to protect a stadium and gym.

As of Wednesday, water was approaching student housing, and plans were made to relocate students if the buildings flood before they return. Classes resume Monday.

Carleton’s campus flooded last September as well, but the current water level is still three feet less than what it was at that time.

Officials will close both directions of Highway 41 over the Minnesota River in Chaska at about 7 p.m. due to high water. It will be closed north of Highway 169 in Chaska between Dem Com Road and Flying Cloud Drive.

Highway 101 is closed from Chanhassen to downtown Shakopee due to the rising waters. Emergency Management Director Ken Carlson said the Minnesota River rose six feet in 24 hours in that area.

Because of those two closures, MnDOT is working on a detour on Highway 169 that includes another lane between County Road 18 and Pioneer Trail. They will also work on traffic signal adjustments at Highwood Drive and I-494.